Proposals for McDonald’s to return to Rochdale town centre

McDonald's is making plans for a much-anticipated return to Rochdale town centre, unveiling proposals for a new drive-thru restaurant at a prominent location.

The fast-food giant has launched a public consultation, seeking the views of the local community on the development, which is set to bring significant economic benefits to the area.

The proposed site, currently a car park, is situated at the junction of Molesworth Street and Water Street, opposite Home Bargains and the Suzuki Premier garage.

 

 

If approved, the development will create around 120 local jobs.

McDonald’s has emphasised the importance of community input in shaping its plans. An online portal has been created to provide detailed information about the project and to collect feedback from residents and nearby businesses.

Oliver Rebeiro, senior acquisitions surveyor at McDonald's, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying: “We’re excited to start sharing our plans for a new McDonald’s restaurant with the Rochdale community. This development would deliver around 120 new, local jobs and provide a multi-million-pound investment into the local economy, at a time of economic uncertainty."

He continued: "The site is ideally placed to serve residents and visitors in Rochdale. We’re confident that residents and local businesses will recognise the value of greater choice and the benefits of having a reliable and convenient restaurant from a recognised brand serving food at reasonable prices."

The company is encouraging residents to participate in the consultation process, ensuring that the development meets the needs and expectations of the community.

"We’re looking forward to working closely with the community and receiving feedback on our plans. We’d like to encourage everyone interested to go to our website and make their views known," Rebeiro added.

The online consultation marks the pre-application phase, with McDonald's preparing to submit a formal planning application to Rochdale Borough Council. The company has expressed optimism that the new drive-thru will not only revitalise the area but also provide long-term employment opportunities with market-leading career progression.

Residents are urged to have their say on the plans, as the feedback gathered will play a crucial role in shaping the final proposal. With the consultation now open, the Rochdale community has the opportunity to influence the return of one of the world's most iconic brands to their town centre.

The consultation period will run until Monday 2 September. Access the portal here.